North St. Deli in Lambeth

I went here for lunch after being recommended it by my housemates so many times. I finally remembered to go on a weekday (closed on weekends) and I got a broccoli, sun-dried tomato & hummus baguette and a latte. Everyone was really friendly on entrance and the staff obviously had a good rapport with regulars/ each other. Service was quick despite being absolutely packed in there. I didn't wait more than 5 mins for my coffee and sandwich. One more thing is that it is incredibly good value. £4.00 for the sandwich and £2.50 for an excellent latte. Defo will come again!

On Thurs 08/06/23 l bought a roast lamb, cabbage and leek slaw with chilli relish and rocket baguette lightly toasted from North St. Deli Old Town Clapham. It was absolutely delicious so l went back on Fri 09/06/23 to buy my lunch and they happened to have to my surprise the same special on the menu so l ordered it again. When l got home l removed the baguette from the paper bag and l was shocked to see that it was burnt it felt hard to touch too (I must hasten to add this has never happened before as l have frequented this deli quite a few times) I tried to bite into the roll but it was tough and tasted burnt. l couldn’t eat it and was unable to take it back on time before closing at 4pm. I took a picture of the burnt baguette instead and sadly threw it into the bin what a waste of my £4:50. As they don’t open on the weekends l had to wait until Monday 12/06/23 to inform them of their burnt error. I discreetly showed the staff the photo of the burnt baguette because there were a few customers in the shop and l didn’t want to cause them any embarrassment. She said verbatim “that’s how we make them (forgetting l ordered the same toasted baguette before) l will make you another one lightly toasted this time” she places the order without collecting any money from me up front (which isn’t usually the norm) therefore l was under the impression that she was kindly and quite rightly giving me the new order for free. Once the baguette was ready she made her way over to me with the cash machine in her hand but hesitated before thrusting it towards me. I was flabbergasted and expressed that l thought the baguette would have been a freebie. She explained that she doesn’t have the authority to do so and l should speak to the manager. So l spoke to the young manager/owner I was discreet once again l showed her my photo evidence but was quite taken aback by her attitude. She responded by saying “that’s how we make them and l don’t feel as if we are at fault l would rather offer you a discount than give it to you for nothing” l told her “l wasn’t expecting to pay again as the last sandwich was uneatable had l known l was going to be charged l would not have let your staff make me another one.” l was about to walk away leaving the bag on the counter when she said “Ok then” l had to clarify what she meant as l told her “l didn’t want to get arrested at the door” she confirmed l could have the baguette for free so l thanked them both and left. I returned to the shop for lunch the following week 22/06 only to be passively aggressively informed by the manager who said something like “l don’t feel like making you a sandwich today because l was highly offended the last time when you made accusations that the sandwich was burnt and it wasn’t and you expected to have it for free if we were in the wrong then l would rectify the matter but that wasn’t the case so l don’t want to serve you” l was dumbfounded and told her “it’s fine l will take my custom elsewhere and the baguette was burnt and yes l should have gotten it for free this is bad customer service” then l left the shop. I couldn’t believe the unprofessional egotistical arrogance of the manager and wanted to check out reviews on her website as surely l can’t be the first customer to complain. l soon realised that there’s no availability to post public reviews on their web but noticed she writes her thoughts for the day above the daily menu which l thought was cute until l notice that she has rudely made two comments making reference about me posted below.

I used North St. Deli to cater lunch for a dance team busy in rehearsals all day nearby. The food delivered was incredible, the salads were a huge hit. We had allergies and intolerances that were handled with no problems and only one menu change. Amazing food, incredibly well priced and a fantastic team.

This deli is always busy which is a telling sign, such delicious food and lots of choice. Very reasonable pricing too, a fraction of other chains. Highly recommend!

Recently worked in Clapham for a week and stumbled across the North Street deli and what a find!! Lovely food friendly staff and great value, definitely will be returning.